5 Key Tips for a Smooth Onboarding Experience

Starting a New Job? 5 Key Tips for a Smooth Onboarding Experience

Starting a new job is exciting, but let’s be real—it can also be overwhelming. You’re stepping into a new environment, meeting tons of people (whose names you’ll probably forget immediately), and trying to figure out how to prove you were the right hire—all while wondering if you made the right decision in the first place.

If you’re feeling this way, you’re not alone. Studies show that 44% of employees regret taking their new job within the first week, and 1 in 4 people cry during their first week. Sheesh! But before you panic, let’s talk about how you can turn your onboarding experience into a smooth, successful transition rather than a tearful regret-fest.

1. Clarify Expectations Early

One of the biggest causes of regret is when the job isn’t what you thought it would be. Within your first few days, schedule a meeting with your manager to clarify expectations. Ask about success metrics, short-term goals, and team dynamics. If anything feels off from what you were promised during the interview, now is the time to address it. I know some of my Enlisted military friends are probably thinking “what you talkin’ bout Willis”—lol, and trust me, I get it! But hear me out. You would be surprised at how much your boss would respect you and value your opinion instead of just sucking it up. As an officer they actually expect this kind of feedback. As an Enlisted member, I would have never thought to do this, because I never felt like I had the right to ”complain”, but knowing what I know now, I would definitely give Enlisted Denita a nice little pep talk to have the courage to express my true concerns to my leadership and not only ask them what their expectations were for me, but I would also express to them what my expectations were for them.

2. Be a Sponge and Take Notes

You’ll be hit with a ton of information—new systems, policies, and procedures. Instead of trying to remember everything, write it down! Keep a dedicated notebook (or digital doc) with key takeaways, important contacts, and recurring tasks. This will help you feel more in control and allow you to reference important info without feeling lost. I actually designed my planner with this in mind. I have a section in the back called “cheat sheets” where you can fill in acronyms, leadership info, new job details etc. And all throughout, it prompts you to record specific info so you know exactly where to put it and retrieve it later. Whatever you decide to use, just make sure you stay consistent because the last thing you need is to be overwhelmed and confused (which I most certainly was, until I got it together!)

3. Find a Go-To Person

Having a workplace buddy can make all the difference. Research from Gallup shows that employees who have a best friend at work are 7 times more engaged. While you don’t need to find your work BFF in the first week, identify a go-to person who can help you navigate the company culture, answer your questions, and share tips about how things really work. One thing that helped me was having a section in my planner dedicated to relationship-building. I’d jot down reminders of who to email or call, and it even encouraged me to grab lunch with a colleague. If this doesn’t come naturally to you yet, it’s totally okay to be a little structured about it. The key is consistency—keep working that muscle, and over time, it will feel much easier.

4. Manage the ‘Imposter Syndrome’ Feelings

Feeling like you don’t know what you’re doing? You’re not alone. Around 70% of people experience imposter syndrome at some point in their careers. The key is to remind yourself that you were hired for a reason. Instead of dwelling on what you haven’t learned yet, focus on what you bring to the table and give yourself permission to grow.

Honestly, I’m still working on this myself! I’ve had to learn to let go of the anxiety and accept that it’s okay to be a beginner. Interestingly, I’ve found that on the officer side, people are much more open about not knowing everything upfront. They’re often told outright that no one expects them to know it all until they’ve had proper training and experience—which makes total sense, right? How could you be expected to excel at a job you’ve never done before?

On the Enlisted side, though, there’s a strong “fake it till you make it” culture, and I think that’s something worth discussing more. In reality, pretending to know things you don’t, can create unnecessary pressure and actually slow down your growth. I might dive deeper into this in a future blog because it’s a topic that needs more attention!

5. Take Care of Yourself

A new job can feel all-consuming, but don’t neglect your well-being. Get enough sleep, eat well, and take breaks when you need to. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, step outside for some fresh air, listen to a podcast, or do a quick mindfulness exercise. Taking care of yourself helps you stay sharp and reduces stress.

Again, talking to myself on this one for real! I hate to admit that I am not the best at keeping up with my “essentials/non-negotiables” when I get stressed. It’s like all my common sense goes out the window. And the truth of the matter is, when I do stick to my routine, as stressed as I am and despite feeling like I have no time, I am better for it. It’s something about knowing I didn’t allow a circumstance to make me break promises to myself. That energizes me and gives my so much confidence knowing I kept my commitments with myself.

What helps me when I actually get this right, is I pre-determine what my core non-negotiables are regardless of what I am going through and I reward myself for being consistent afterwards. For example, I committed to read my Bible every morning and I don’t allow myself to look at anything else until I read the lesson. The reward is checking social media after. Might sound silly but it works.

Final Thoughts

Starting a new job can be nerve-wracking, but it doesn’t have to be miserable. By setting clear expectations, staying organized, and being kind to yourself, you’ll set yourself up for success. And remember—every single person at your job was new at some point, too.

For more career tips, mindset shifts, and ways to make the most of the resources you already have, subscribe to my YouTube channel: Denita Guthery. Let’s make your career journey a success together!